What happens when you take a classic idea like Bomberman and add in a bit of mature content such as blood, guts and other hellish trappings?  You get BRAWL, available on PC, Linux and Mac.  Why is BRAWL unique?  I mean, I just covered a fan port of Bomberman coming to the Colecovision yesterday, why is this other game so interesting and warranting coverage?  Check out the gameplay video and the pics and you will see, there is more here that expands on the classic formula therefore expanding the genre in new ways.  Take that for a reason for covering it.

There are many ways to play BRAWL, the standard single player way (you against everyone else going through hell) where you set bombs and run like hell.  There is a horde and sheep mode, online multiplayer where you duel with one other opponent, Arena with up to four players’ total and even local multiplayer that features the online modes.

Now onto what is unique about BRAWL.  Sumo mode is all about pushing your opponents off the map, much like a Sumo wrestling match.  Color Domination calls on you to play a bit of Qix mixed with Bomberman due to your having to color the playfield with your hue while wiping out your opponents color.  Then there is Team Arena mode for single computer multiplayer matches.

If you take the challenge of BRAWL on be prepared for eight single player campaigns voiced by Erik Braa of The Walking Dead fame.  Eight unique characters and dozens of maps to traverse.

Bloober Team have also taken note that not everyone is interested in the blood and the gore and have added a “nogore” setting.  Nogore gets rid of the blood and scary faces (replaced with cute masks that are probably just as creepy to older players).  Steam cards and Achievements are supported and there is also Steam Cloud support for travelling gamers.

BRAWL by Bloober Team
Platform: Linux, Mac, PC and NVIDIA Shield and Playstation 4
Genre: Bomberman/MOBA
Rated: Mature audiences folks, just saying, read the article for proof (or look at the pics/video)
Available now on Steam, NVIDIA Shield and Playstation 4

Carl Williams

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